Uzalo

Uzalo is a South African soap opera produced by Stained Glass Productions, which is co-owned by Kobedi "Pepsi" Pokane and Gugu Zuma-Ncube. It began airing in 2015, quickly becoming a hit due to its compelling narrative, writing, direction and the performances of the relatively-unknown cast.[1] It initially told the story of two young men who were switched at birth, one being raised in a family with core Christian values and the other at a crime syndicate. It currently broadcasts from Monday to Friday on SABC 1.[2][3] It is currently the most watched television show in South Africa.[4][5]

Uzalo
GenreSoap opera, Crime Drama
Created byDuma Ndlovu
Written by
  • Clive Madiya
  • Salah Sabiti
  • Busisiwe Matonsi
  • Precious Sithole
  • KG Mogale
  • Bridgette Madiba
  • Siphosethu Tshapu
  • Julian Koboekae
  • Kirsten Adams
  • Mmamitse Thibedi
Directed by
  • Sello Letsatsi
  • Sabelo Ndlovu
  • Fikile Mogodi
  • Kgatontle Mdleleni
  • Musa Sithole
Creative directorMamitse Thibedi
Starring
Opening themeUzalo
Ending themeUzalo
Country of originSouth Africa
Original languageZulu
No. of seasons9
No. of episodes1 974 (as of 2 March 2023)
Production
Executive producersGontse Lekgetho
Mmamitse Thibedi
ProducerKhumbulani Hlongwane
CinematographyMike Sono, Howard Nciweni
EditorsGugu Sibandze (offline editor), Mamba Bhekumuzi Leo (Foreign online editor)
Camera setupMulti-cameras
Running time23-25 minutes
Production companyStained Glass Productions
Release
Original networkSABC 1
Original release9 February 2015 (2015-02-09) 
present
Related
eHostela, Skeem Saam and Durban Gen

Plot

Uzalo initially told the story of two families in the township of Kwa-Mashu: the Mdletshe family, who play a significant role in the management of the Kwamashu Kingdom Church, and the Xulu family who run a car theft syndicate. The connection between the families was that their eldest sons were switched at birth during the period when Nelson Mandela was released from prison.[3][6] As the show has progressed over the years, the storylines have dramatically changed with interchanging characters, contributing to many new story arcs, but simultaneously maintaining the growth of some of its main and supporting characters.

Cast and characters

  • Nkunzebomvu (Nkunzi) Mhlongo, played by Masoja Msiza. He is the ex-husband of Innocentia, MaMlambo and Mazaza.then he married with Lindiwe. He's currently in relationship with Gabisile. He married Gabisile.He is the king of Ndlendle (Main role: Season 1 - present)
  • Hlengiwe (MaMlambo) Mlambo played by Gugulethu Gumede KaMagwaza. She befriends MaNzuza and MaNcgobo and was married to Nkunzebomvu Mhlongo. She also had a relationship with Thobile's uncle Mbhekiseni but later dumped him after he was arrested for raping Thobile and various younger women. She had affairs with Melusi, Qhabanga and Nkunzi. She came back as a Sangoma. ( Main role. Season 1 - present)
  • Njinji Magwaza played by Thembi Nyandeni. She is wolf in sheep's clothing who act as a moral support for the youth and community of KwaMashu .She is Nkunzi's rival and her daughter Nomsawazi took After her as she also deals with hijacking cars and running of illegal businesses. She is mother of Nomsawazi and Vikizitha's aunt (Main role: season 8- Present)
  • Nomsawazi Magwaza played by Fanele Ntuli. She is Njinji Magwaza's daughter and Sbonelo Mhlongo's new love interest.She was killed by her mother in season 8 but resurfaced 8 days after her death and turned on her mother and stayed with Sbonelo Mhlongo in the Mhlongo mansion in KwaMashu.
  • Mondli Mdlalose, played by Thembinkosi Thwala. Mondli is the Head police captain and dated Zekhethelo. He is Nosipho and Lilly's ex-boyfriend. (Main role. Season 1 - present)
  • Gabisile Mdletshe - Mhlongo, played by Baby Maloka. She is the sister of the Pastor Melusi and Zandile's sister in law. She is the aunt of Mxolisi, Nkosinathi and Mumsy. She is a landlady of a house she owns. Mother of Sbonelo. She is Qhabanga Khumalo's wife. She was killed by Qhabanga. She was saved by a girl called Hlelo.She is in a relationship with Nkunzi. She is married to Nkunzi. (Main role. Season 3 - present)
  • Sbonelo (Babo) Mhlongo, played by Wiseman Mncube, was a doctor. He resigned after secretly killing Nonka's close friend Nsizwa. He is also the only son of Nkunzebomvu and Gabisile. He is in love with Nonkanyiso , and later on proposed to her. After they got married, she then later divorced him. ( Main role. Season 5 - present)
  • Nonkanyiso "Nonka" Xaba, played by Thuthuka Mthembu. She works in the salon and is a good friend of Hleziphi and Fikile and is the ex-wife to Sibonelo. She is Njeza and Mbuso's sister and Lilly's cousin. She is MaDongwe's niece. (Recurring role. Season 5; Main role. Season 6 - present)
  • Sbusiso (Sbu) played by Simphiwe Majozi is an ex con. He is dating Fikile. He works for Nkunzi and MaNgcobo, and later Sibonelo. (Recurring role. Season 1; Main role. Season 2 - Present)
  • Njeza, played by Nkanyiso Makhanya. He is an ex con and is the older brother of Nonka and Mbuso. He is Lilly's cousin and MaDongwe's nephew. He worked at Khathaza's funeral home. He had a brief relationship with Zekhethelo and was in love with Nosipho, then Nonka's friend Hleziphi. ( Main role. Season 6 - present)
  • Mr Mbatha,played by William Mnguni. He is part of the board at KwaMashu Kingdom Church. He is formerly the pastor of KwaMashu Kingdom Church and was engaged to Fihliwe. He is also MaMadongwe is ex-husband. (Main role. Season 1 - present)

Main Cast

Actor Character Seasons
Uzalo season 1 Uzalo season 2 Uzalo season 3 Uzalo season 4 Uzalo season 5 Uzalo season 6 Uzalo season 7 Uzalo season 8 Uzalo season 9
Masoja "Solle" Msiza Nkunzebombu Mhlongo Does not appear Main
Baby Cele Gabsile Mhlongo Does not appear Recurring Main
Thembi Nyandeni Njinji Magwaza Does not appear Main
Fanele Ntuli Nomaswazi Magwaza Does not appear Main
Wiseman Mncube Sbonelo Mhlongo Does not appear Main
Gugu Gumede Hlengiwe Mlambo Recurring Main
Noxolo Mathula Lillian Lilly Dongwe Does not appear Recurring Main
Thuthuka Mthembu Nonkanyiso Xaba Does not appear Recurring Main
Simphiwe Majozi Sbusiso Makathini Does not appear Recurring Main
Nkanyiso Makhanya Nkululeko Njeza Xaba Does not appear Main
Siyabonga Radebe Vikizitha Magwaza Does not appear Main Does not appear
Zama Magubane-Ngcobo MaDongwe Does not appear Recurring Main
Ntombifuthi Dlamini Mam Madlala Does not appear Recurring Main
Thabo Mnguni Khethukuthula Pope Mbatha Does not appear Recurring Main
Vuyo"Gadaffi"Dabula Bentley Majozi Does not appear Main
Masandi Kwanda Buthelezi Does not appear Recurring Recurring
Cebo Mthembu Detective Nyawo Does not appear Recurring Main
Sibusisiwe Jili Princess Nomkhosi Does not appear Main
Tshepo Zulu Nkanzimulo Does not appear Recurring Main
Linda Majola Mzamo Does not appear Recurring

Ratings

SeriesEpisodesOriginally airedAve. RSA viewers
(millions)
First airedLast aired
119 February 2015 (2015-02-09)13 March 2015 (2015-03-13)5.4
21 (+1)24 September 2018 (Historic Episode)
24 September 2018 (2018-09-24)
25 September 2018 (2018-09-25)10.25

Series 1 (2015)

Series 1
No.
overall
EpisodeDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateRSA viewers
(millions)10
1Premier EpisodeAlex YazbekStory by: Phathutshedzo Aldrean Makwarela
Teleplay by: Precious Sithole
9 February 2015 (2015-02-09)5.4
The story kicked off with a teaser set on 9 February 1990 where two boys were switched at birth, and so was their legacy and destiny. The story picked up 20 years later after the two boys were switched at birth, and the storyline for the entire season followed the family whose wealth was built in the murky criminal underworld, as well as the more wholesome Mdletshe family whose day to day life, is pretty much centred around the KwaMashu Kingdom Church.

Series 4 (2018)

No.
overall
EpisodeDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateSA viewers
(millions)
Two Part Wedding Special
167Wedding SpecialLuthando Mgomezulu & Mqondisi 'MQ' NgubaneStory by: Bongi Ndaba
Teleplay by: Clive Madiya
24 September 2018 (2018-09-24)Undefined
MaMlambo has a nightmare. Nkunzi says his vows to MaMlambo. MaNgcobo stops the wedding.
Historic Episode
168Wedding Special Part 2Luthando Mgomezulu & Mqondisi 'MQ' NgubaneBongi Ndaba25 September 2018 (2018-09-25)10.25[7]
This record-breaking wedding episode was aired on 25 September 2018, and it was preceded by a gripping cliff-hanger on 24 September 2018. In the episode that aired on 25 September 2018, the saying: "Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, nor hell a fury like a woman scorned" was proven to be true. The gun-wielding 'woman scorned' character MaNgcobo, played by Dawn Thandeka King, stormed the wedding of her common-law husband, Nkunzi (Masoja Msiza) and her love rival MaMlambo (Gugu Gumede) with a gun, coercing him to make a choice on who he will marry between her and her former best friend-turned love rival, MaMlambo. Nkunzi made a decision to marry both women, MaNgcobo and MaMlambo, thus entering into a polygamous marriage. This episode was the first in the South African television history to surpass the 10 million ratings mark.[7]

Accolades

Year Award Category Recipient Result
2015 Simon "Mabunu" Sabela Awards Best Newcomer Khumbulani 'Kay' Sibiya Won
Best Actor Mpumelelo Bhulose Won
Best Actress Sihle Ndaba Won
Lifetime Achievement Award Don Mlangeni Nawa Won
Best Soapie Uzalo Nominated
2016 The Sunday Times (South Africa) Generation Next Awards Coolest Soapie Uzalo Won
Simon "Mabunu" Sabela Awards Best Actress Sihle Ndaba Won
2017 Dstv Mzansi Magic Viewers Choice Awards Best Actor Ntokozo 'TKDee' Dlamini Nominated
Best Actress Dawn Thandeka King Nominated
South African Film and Television Awards Best Achievement in Scriptwriting Uzalo Writing Team; Head Writer Phathutshedzo Makwarela Nominated
2018 Simon "Mabunu" Sabela Awards Best Supporting TV Actress Nokuthula Mabika Won
Best Actress Baby Cele Won
Best Supporting Actor Simphiwe Majozi Won
The Sunday Times (South Africa) Generation Next Awards 2018 Coolest TV soapie Uzalo Won
South African Film and Television Awards Most Popular Soapie Uzalo Won
Dstv Mzansi Magic Viewer Choice Awards Best Actor Masoja Msiza Nominated
2019 South African Film and Television Awards Best TV Soap Uzalo Won
Best Actress Dawn Thandeka King Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Khaya Dladla Nominated
Best Achievement in Editing - TV Soap Nhlanhla Mngandi Nominated
Best Achievement in Sound - TV Soap Timotheus Du Preez Nominated
Best Achievement in Wardrobe - TV Soap Nokubonga Ngobeni Won
Best Achievement in Make-up and Hair - TV Soap Stella Johnson Won
Most Popular TV Soap/Telenovela Uzalo Nominated
2020 South African Film and Television Awards Best Actress in a TV Soap Baby Cele Maloka Nominated
Popular Soapie/Telenovela Uzalo Nominated
Dstv Mzansi Viewers Choice Awards Favourite Actress Dawn Thandeka King Nominated
Favourite Actor Masoja Msiza Nominated
Favourite Rising Star Wiseman Mncube Nominated
The Sunday Times (South Africa) Generation Next Awards 2020 Coolest Soapie Uzalo Won
Royalty Soapie Awards Most Popular Soapie Uzalo Nominated
Best Actress Dawn Thandeka King Won
Best Supporting Actor Simphiwe Majozi Nominated

References

  1. "TV with Thinus: REVIEW. SABC1's new Uzalo telenovela is light on soap, heavy on conflict as a more 'mature' Soul City that's less preachy, more dramatic". TV with Thinus. 9 February 2015. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  2. "SABC1's new Uzalo: 'We're not Generations'". news.yahoo.com. Yahoo. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  3. Bambalele, Patience (9 February 2015). "'Uzalo' hope for Zuma". www.filmcontact.com/. Archived from the original on 13 September 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  4. Matangira, Lungelo. "'Uzalo' officially SA's most watched show with over 10.2m viewers". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
  5. BOSS (6 December 2021). ""Uzalo" is the biggest show in SA". ikenaija.com. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  6. "SABC1 takes on the telenovela with Uzalo". www.tvsa.co.za. 13 January 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  7. Tvsa, Tvsa Team. "Top Shows on TV: September 2018". tvsa. Retrieved 8 October 2018.
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